Device for dispensing a cushioning and packaging element, method for producing the element

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for dispensing a cushioning and packaging element from at least one strip of paper, comprising: at least two guide means (2) around which at least one strip of paper is wound; at least one drive element for driving at least one strip of paper; and at least one creasing means (4) for creasing at least one strip of paper, characterised in that the guide means (2) extend beyond at least one creasing means (4), namely downstream thereof.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for dispensing packing and packaging elements and its method of implementation.

[0002] The presence of cushioning elements protects and envelops the items to be packed in a box. These cushioning elements fill the gaps to wedge the objects inside a box and thus absorb the shocks inherent in transport and possible falls.

[0003] Many types of cushioning solutions are present in the field of packaging. The general trend is to eliminate non-recyclable materials, and to move towards packaging made from recycled paper. Such a device for dispensing cushioning elements, according to the preamble of claim 1, is known from document WO 99 / 59807 A2.

[0004] The paper packing elements are coarsely crumpled, resulting in acceptable, but unsatisfactory, mechanical properties.

[0005] The present invention thus provides a dispensing device according to claim 1, producing wedging and packaging elements, making it possible to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0006] Thus, the dispensing device according to the invention, of a wedging and packaging element from at least one strip of paper, comprises at least two guide means around which at least one strip of paper is wound, at least one drive means and at least one means for creasing at least one strip of paper, while the guide means extend beyond, namely downstream, at least one creasing means.

[0007] Let us add that the guiding means are longitudinal profiles.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the dispensing device comprises a shaping means upstream of the guide means, which allows the positioning of at least one strip of paper around said at least two guide means.

[0009] According to the previous embodiment, the shaping means is presented by a closed path whose ends overlap.

[0010] According to another embodiment, the shaping means is presented by a closed path whose ends are located laterally on the same side, namely that the path is presented in the shape of a C.

[0011] According to the preceding embodiments, the guide means are included in the interior space delimited by the path.

[0012] According to an additional characteristic, the dispensing device comprises a means for inserting the paper strip upstream of the shaping means.

[0013] According to the previous characteristic, the insertion means is presented by a profile directed towards the outside, in the extension of the path.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the dispensing device comprises at least one positioning means intended to constrain at least one part of at least one strip of paper between two guide means.

[0015] According to the preceding embodiment, the lower end of the positioning means is located or substantially located in correspondence with the lower ends of the guide means.

[0016] According to preferred embodiments, at least one driving means is located between two guiding means, while at least one creasing means is located between two guiding means.

[0017] According to an additional characteristic, the guide means comprise two parts of two different sections, the smaller section being located downstream of the larger section.

[0018] According to one embodiment, a drive means comprises a rear axle and a front axle downstream of the rear axle, both upstream of the crumpling means.

[0019] The invention also relates to a method for producing a crumpled paper packing and packaging element according to claim 15, comprising the steps of installing at least one strip of paper at the periphery of at least two guide means, positioning a portion of the strip of paper between the guide means, moving the strip of paper along the guide means, and crumpling the strip of paper.

[0020] A packing and packaging element is also described comprising at least one crumpled sheet of paper, forming at least two longitudinal conduits delimiting a connection zone, while the longitudinal conduits each comprise a continuous interior hollow body, corresponding to a longitudinal interior profile delimited by the interior ends of the folds located at the periphery of the longitudinal conduits.

[0021] Let us add that a hollow body has a constant or substantially constant section over the entirety or substantially the entirety of its longitudinal profile.

[0022] Note that a hollow body is presented by a longitudinal profile having a cross-section chosen from a circular, rectangular, square, oblong, triangular or hexagonal shape.

[0023] Let us specify that the connection zone is made up solely of at least two sections of crumpled sheet at least longitudinally.

[0024] Also described is a consumable, intended for the production of a cushioning and packaging element, formed from a strip of paper folded in three sections, in which its lateral ends overlap, characterized in that the strip of paper comprises transverse perforation lines regularly distributed along its length.

[0025] According to the preceding characteristic the paper strip is formed of a plurality of thicknesses.

[0026] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows with reference to the appended drawings which are given only as non-limiting examples. THE figures 1 à 9 are views of a device for dispensing a packing and packaging element according to one embodiment of the invention. The figure 1 is a perspective view. The figure 2 is a sectional view along AA. The figure 3 is a partial perspective view. The figure 4 is a sectional view along BB of the figure 2 . There figure 5 is a sectional view along CC of the figure 2 . There figure 6 is a perspective view of an insertion means located in the extension of a conformation means. The figures 7 à 9 are perspective views illustrating the insertion of a paper strip into the insertion means toward the shaping means. The figure 10a is a perspective view of a packing and packaging element. The figure 10b is a perspective view of a packing and packaging element. The figure 11 is a perspective view of a consumable.

[0027] The present invention relates firstly to a device (1) for dispensing a wedging and packaging element (9) from at least one strip of paper (10).

[0028] The dispensing device (1) according to the invention comprises at least two guide means (2) each having at least one independent free end, around at least one of which is wound at least one strip of paper (10), while it comprises a driving means (3) of at least one strip of paper (10), and at least one crumpling means (4) of at least one strip of paper (10) downstream of the driving means (3).

[0029] According to one characteristic, the guide means (2) have longitudinal profiles, along which at least one strip of paper (10) is wound.

[0030] According to the preceding characteristic, the guide means (2) extend throughout the shaping of the wedging and packaging elements (9) produced, namely that the guide means (2) extend from the outlet of the shaping means (5) to the crumpling means (4), as explained in more detail in the remainder of the description.

[0031] The longitudinal profiles of the guide means (2) can have any cross-sectional shape, such as circular, rectangular, square, oblong, or even triangular or hexagonal, preferably circular as illustrated in particular in figure 1 .

[0032] According to the preceding characteristic, the guide means (2) are oriented in the same direction in a parallel manner.

[0033] According to the illustrated embodiment, the guide means (2) comprise at least two parts (2a, 2b) having decreasing sections, namely a first part (2a) upstream of a second part (2b) having a smaller section than the first.

[0034] Note that two guide means (2) delimit a central space in which at least one positioning means (7) of at least one strip of paper (10) is located.

[0035] Let us specify that a positioning means (7) conforms at least one strip of paper (10) in a central space, between two guiding means (2).

[0036] More precisely, a positioning means (7) conforms all the corresponding sides of this positioning means (7), namely at least two sides of at least one strip of paper (10) facing each other, preferably conforming the sides against each other.

[0037] According to one embodiment, at least one positioning means (7) conforms at least one strip of paper (10) towards a creasing means (4).

[0038] According to the illustrated embodiment, a positioning means (7) conforms at least one paper strip (10) towards a drive means (3) and then a creasing means (4), both located in a central space between two guide means (2), namely a positioning means (7), a drive means (3) and a creasing means (4) are aligned along a central space.

[0039] According to the previous embodiment, the drive means (3) is located between the first parts (2a) of the guide means (2), while the crumpling means (4) is arranged between the second parts (2b) of the guide means (2).

[0040] In other words, at least one positioning means (7) conforms to at least one strip of paper (10) upstream of the creasing means (4), preferably upstream of the drive means (3), advantageously in such a way that at least one strip of paper (10) is wound substantially around the periphery of each of the guide means (2).

[0041] The positioning of the crumpling means (4) at the level of the second parts (2b) of the guide means (2), makes it possible to obtain crumpled zones having greater heights than if the crumpling operation were carried out on a longitudinal profile having a constant section. These crumpled zones have better resistance to compression than if they were only partially crumpled at the periphery of the conduits.

[0042] It should be noted that the crumpling means (4) is advantageously a means which slows down or drives at least one strip of paper (10) at a speed lower than that of the drive means (3).

[0043] According to the illustrated embodiment, a crumpling means (4) is in the form of the association of two toothed wheels, the respective notches of each of the wheels of which are offset, so that the wheels do not come into contact.

[0044] According to the previous embodiment, the toothed wheels are mechanically connected and are driven by a single motor, which also prevents the wheels from coming into contact and damaging the device.

[0045] It should also be noted that the greater the difference in speed between a drive means (3) and a creasing means (4), the more concentrated the folds are. A greater number of folds improves the resistance to transverse compression.

[0046] According to the illustrated embodiment, a drive means (3) comprises a front axle (3b) and a rear axle (3a) which each comprise a drive wheel provided with a pair of bearings.

[0047] According to one feature, a drive wheel is brought into contact against the bearings associated with it by a vertical force exerted by springs.

[0048] According to the preceding characteristic, the sides of at least one strip of paper (10), namely at least two sides, are driven by the stressing between the drive wheels and the bearings, and the setting in motion of the front (3b) and rear (3a) trains.

[0049] The front axle (3b) is coupled to an engine, while the rear axle is coupled to the same engine via a clutch and / or a braking means, such as a magnetic brake.

[0050] Note that the front axle (3b) is located downstream of the rear axle (3a).

[0051] This mode of operation of the drive means (3) makes it possible, when the rear axle (3a) is declutched or braked, to cut a wedging and packaging element (9) to a length determined by the breaking of at least one strip of paper (10) along the pre-cutting zones.

[0052] According to the illustrated embodiment, the dispensing device (1) also comprises at least three detection cells, namely a first cell upstream of the rear train (3a), a second cell between the two trains (3a, 3b), as well as a third cell between the front train (3b) and the creasing means (4). The presence of these detection cells makes it possible to determine the position of at least one strip of paper (10), to actuate the motors, clutches and brakes according to the requests.

[0053] According to a particular embodiment, not shown, a drive means (3) and at least one crumpling means (4) are represented respectively by a rear axle (3a) and a front axle (3b), in which the front axle (3b) is moved at a speed lower than that of the rear axle (3a).

[0054] According to one characteristic, the dispensing device (1) comprises a means (5) for shaping at least one strip of paper (10) around the outer periphery of at least two guide means (2), upstream of the latter.

[0055] This shaping means (5) has an inlet and an outlet allowing at least one strip of paper (10) to be wound around the guide means (2).

[0056] According to the illustrated embodiment, the shaping means (5) comprises a passage for at least one strip of paper (10), which is presented by a closed path (6) which allows the winding of at least one strip of paper (10) on itself, namely that the ends of an edge of the path (6) advantageously overlap in an offset manner.

[0057] According to another embodiment, the shaping means (5) is presented by a closed path (6) whose ends are located laterally on the same side, namely that the path (6) is presented in the form of a crushed C.

[0058] Note that the upstream ends of the guide means (2) are fixed or molded by means of conformation (5).

[0059] More specifically, as illustrated in the figure 2 , the upstream ends of the guide means (2) are located inside the space arranged by the path (6) of the shaping means (5) of at least one strip of paper (10).

[0060] According to an additional feature, an insertion means (8) is added upstream of the shaping means (5), in order to facilitate the positioning of at least one strip of paper (10) in the latter, more precisely to facilitate the insertion of at least one strip of paper (10) in the path (6) of the shaping means (5), which in turn facilitates the positioning of at least one strip of paper (10) around the guide means (2).

[0061] According to one embodiment, notably illustrated in the figure 6 , the insertion means (8) is in the form of a ramp, which is an outward extension of the path (6) of the shaping means (5).

[0062] In other words, the insertion means (8) is a profile directed outwards, in the extension of the path (6).

[0063] As illustrated in figures 7 à 9 , a lateral panel of the strip of paper (10) is inserted opposite and in abutment against the inner end of the path (6), more precisely is presented against the profile part of the insertion means (8) arranged in the extension of the inner end of the path (6), while the other lateral panel of the strip of paper is engaged against the part of the profile of the insertion means (8) arranged in the extension of the outer end of the path (6), in such a way as to insert the strip of paper without difficulty into the shaping means (5).

[0064] A wedging and packaging element (9) according to the invention is advantageously intended to be wrapped around at least part of an article to be protected, which is previously or subsequently placed in a cardboard box. It is understood that a wedging and packaging element (9) can also be arranged at the bottom and / or above the article(s) to be protected.

[0065] Let us add that the wedging and packaging element (9) according to the invention is made of crumpled paper and is presented by at least one connecting zone (12) delimited by two longitudinal conduits (11).

[0066] Let us specify that the longitudinal conduits (11) have a regular general profile, the shape of which depends on that of the guide means (2) used.

[0067] It is understood that the longitudinal conduits (11) are crumpled at their peripheries, however their general profiles correspond to those of the guide means (2).

[0068] The fact that the longitudinal conduits (11) retain a regular general profile, while being crumpled at their peripheries, makes it possible to obtain improved mechanical properties, in terms of resistance in particular to radial compression, namely a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the wedging and packaging element according to the invention.

[0069] A regular general profile is understood to mean a profile having a general cylindrical, oblong, parallelepiped or even triangular section, while being crumpled at its periphery.

[0070] According to an additional characteristic, as illustrated in figures 10a et 10b , the longitudinal conduits (11) comprise a continuous hollow body (15) corresponding to the profiles of the second parts (2b) of the guide means (2), namely corresponding to an internal profile delimited by the internal ends of the folds located at the periphery of the longitudinal conduits (11).

[0071] According to the preceding characteristic, a hollow body (15), namely an internal profile, has a constant or substantially constant section over the entirety or substantially the entirety of its longitudinal profile, equal or substantially equal to that of a second part (2b) of a guide means (2).

[0072] Let us specify that the profile of a hollow body (15) is included in that of the longitudinal conduit (11) in which it is housed.

[0073] Let us also specify that a hollow body (15) is presented by a profile having a cross-section of a shape chosen from circular, rectangular, square, oblong, triangular or hexagonal.

[0074] The presence of a hollow body (15) not only provides, for the same quantity of paper, a greater volume to the resulting structure, but also provides reinforcement to the structure by arch effect by distribution of stresses along its periphery.

[0075] In order to obtain its final shape, a wedging and packaging element (9) according to the invention advantageously does not include any fixing means such as by perforation, gluing or by the use of staples, other than means of connection by crumpling, along at least one connection zone (12), of at least one sheet of paper.

[0076] Note that a packing and packaging element (9) consists of at least one sheet of paper, preferably consisting of a sheet of paper, rolled up on itself and crumpled at least longitudinally at least at the level of a connecting zone (12).

[0077] Let us specify that a connection zone (12) is only creased regularly along its entire longitudinal profile.

[0078] According to one characteristic, a connecting zone (12) is more crumpled than the longitudinal conduits (11) which delimit it.

[0079] According to the preceding characteristic, the particular structure of a wedging element according to the invention provides improved resistance to radial crushing.

[0080] A connecting zone (12) constitutes a means of fixing at least two sheets of sheet, providing the sole means of maintaining the shape of at least one sheet of paper resulting in a wedging and packaging element (9).

[0081] Let us specify that a wedging and packaging element (9) is obtained from at least one rolled strip of paper (10) in which at least two sides, preferably at least three sides of the strip overlap and are crumpled according to at least one longitudinal or substantially longitudinal, or even rectilinear or substantially rectilinear, connecting zone (12), while the crumpled strip of paper (10) is then cut into a crumpled sheet of paper to the desired length, preferably cut along transverse perforation lines.

[0082] Thus, according to one characteristic, a strip of paper (10) comprises pre-cut areas, presented by perforation lines arranged transversely, which are regularly distributed over the length of the strip of paper (10).

[0083] In other words, a wedging element (9) is presented by at least one sheet of paper rolled up on itself and crumpled along at least one connecting zone (12) advantageously longitudinal or substantially longitudinal, or even rectilinear or substantially rectilinear, in which all the sections of sheet rolled up in correspondence of at least one connecting zone (12) are crumpled within this connecting zone (12), so as to form on either side of at least one connecting zone (12), longitudinal conduits (11) whose general profiles are oriented according to the general profile of the connecting zone (12).

[0084] Let us also specify that at least one connecting zone (12) is parallel or substantially parallel to the lateral ends of the wedging and packaging element (9).

[0085] It is understood that since the paper is crumpled, it is the general profile of a bonding zone (12) which is parallel or substantially parallel to the lateral ends of the wedging and packaging element (9).

[0086] Let us also specify that the longitudinal conduits (11) delimiting a connection zone (12), are also parallel or substantially parallel to the latter and to the lateral ends of the wedging and packaging element (9).

[0087] It is also understood that since the paper is crumpled, it is the general profiles of the longitudinal ducts (11) which are parallel or substantially parallel to the general profile of the connecting zone (12) and to the lateral ends of the wedging and packaging element (9).

[0088] According to one characteristic, a crumpled sheet of paper rolled up on itself comprises at least one connecting zone (12) of at least two sides, or even three sides of sheet.

[0089] According to embodiments, a packing and packaging element (9) formed from at least two sheets of paper is obtained from the superposition of at least two strips of paper (10) pre-folded or not.

[0090] By way of example, a wedging and packaging element (9) may have two, three, four or five adjacent longitudinal conduits (11), oriented in the same direction, delimited by respectively one, two, three or four connecting zone(s) (12) which are parallel or substantially parallel, or at least parallel to the lateral ends of the wedging and packaging element (9).

[0091] According to one feature, the longitudinal ends of the longitudinal ducts (11), namely the ends at which the paper strip (10) is cut, are open towards the outside.

[0092] According to one embodiment, not illustrated, the longitudinal ends of a packing and packaging element (9) are not creased, at least not substantially creased, and delimit a creased central zone in which the internal volume is greater than at the longitudinal ends.

[0093] According to the illustrated embodiment, a cushioning and packaging element (9) illustrated is obtained from at least one consumable which is in the form of a strip of paper (10) pre-folded in three sections.

[0094] According to the preceding embodiment, a wedging and packaging element (9) formed from at least one crumpled sheet of paper is obtained from at least one strip of paper (10) pre-folded by two longitudinal folding lines (13) delimiting three sections of sheets whose lateral sections overlap at least partially.

[0095] Note that a strip of paper (10) is pre-folded in such a way that its lateral ends are folded over the upper face of its central portion, so that they overlap.

[0096] In other words, the pre-folded paper strip (10) is delimited into three sections, namely a central section and two side sections, the outer ends of the side sections being adjacent, in such a way that a first side section is folded onto the central section, while the second side section is folded onto the first side section.

[0097] According to one characteristic, the pre-folded strip of paper (10) comprises pre-cut areas (14) regularly distributed along its length.

[0098] According to the preceding characteristic, the pre-cutting zones (14) extend from one edge to the other of the pre-folded strip of paper (10), namely from each of the outer ends of the side panels.

Claims

1. Device (1) for dispensing cushioning and packaging elements (9) from at least one paper web (10), comprising: - at least two longitudinal guiding means (2) around which at least one paper web (10) is wound, - at least one drive means (3) of the at least one paper web (10), and - at least one wrinkling means (4) of the at least one paper web (10), characterized in that the longitudinal guide means (2) extend beyond, i.e. downstream of, the at least one wrinkling means (4).

2. Dispensing device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the longitudinal guiding means (2) are longitudinal profiles.

3. Dispensing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a shaping means (5) upstream of the longitudinal guide means (2), which enables the positioning of the at least one paper web (10) around said at least two longitudinal guide means (2).

4. Dispensing device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the shaping means (5) is in the form of a closed path (6) with overlapping ends.

5. Dispensing device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the shaping means (5) is the form of a closed path (6) whose ends are located laterally on the same side, i.e. the path (6) is C-shaped.

6. Dispensing device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the longitudinal guiding means (2) are included in the internal space delimited by the path (6).

7. Dispensing device (1) according any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that it comprises an insertion means (8) of the paper web (10) upstream of the shaping means (5).

8. Dispensing device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the insertion means (8) takes the form of an outwardly directed profile in the extension of the path (6).

9. Dispensing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one positioning means (7) which is intended to constrain at least a portion of the at least one paper web (10) between two longitudinal guiding means (2).

10. Dispensing device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the lower end of the positioning means (7) is located or substantially located in correspondence with the lower ends of the longitudinal guiding means (2).

11. Dispensing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one drive means (3) is located between two longitudinal guiding means (2).

12. Dispensing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one wrinkling means (4) is located between two longitudinal guiding means (2).

13. Dispensing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal guiding means (2) comprise two parts (2a, 2b) of two different cross-sections, the smaller cross-section being located downstream of the larger cross-section.

14. Dispensing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a drive means (3) comprises a rear axle (3a) and a front axle (3b) downstream of the rear axle (3a), both upstream of the wrinkling means (4).

15. Method of producing a crumpled paper cushioning and packaging element (9) by means of a device according to one of the claims 1 to 14, comprising the following steps: - Installation of at least one paper web (10) on the periphery of at least two longitudinal guiding means (2), - Positioning of a portion of the paper web (10) between the longitudinal guiding means (2), - Moving the paper web (10) along the longitudinal guiding means (2), and - Wrinkling of the paper web (10),

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